stands nation under God, indivisible, liberty and justice for all. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, >> Mr. Shei. Mr. Vishel Patel >> here. Miss Ping, Miss White >> here,
>> Mr. Romano >> here, >> Mr. Lugo >> here, >> Mr. Ronac Patel, Mr. Erica >> here. >> You have a quorum. In in accordance with the open public meetings act, public law
1975 C231 sunshine law, the Edison Township Board of Education has called caused notice of this meeting to be published by having the date, time, and place thereof posted in the board of admin administration offices and posted on the board of education website.
In accordance with the NJSA section 10412, that Township Board of Education adjuns to a confidential session for the purpose of discussing the following confidential personal and board matters, student matters, pending litigation,
legal matters, contracts, property acquisitions, HIV hearing. >> Motion to go to close session. >> Second. >> All in favor? >> I. >> I. >> All right. and we'll be back around 6:30 p.m. Thank you.
>> Okay. Uh, can I have a motion to reconvene? >> Motion. >> Okay. Ralph and, uh, we >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. So, okay. President's report.
Uh, we are at the end of the year. Uh time uh goes by very quickly. Just want to take this opportunity to uh wishing everyone merry Christmas, happy new year
and uh relax, you know, enjoy the holiday season and staff and students just, you know, take some time off, spend time with family, and we'll come back uh in January for a
second half of the year. and just make sure um you have a safe uh holiday season. All right. Thank you. So, Dr. Ali, thank you very much. Uh Mr. Shei, uh good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Uh
members of the board of education. Uh we are in the uh final uh board of education meeting of the 2025 uh year. Uh I first wanted to take an opportunity to um thank all of our teachers. We had an unbelievably successful start to the school year. Um, and the first four four
months have gone uh off without a hitch. Thank you so much for our teachers, our support staff, and our administrators as well. Um, it's been an outstanding four months of school. Looking forward to the tail end and the new year in 2026. Uh, a couple highlights for the board of education in relationship to my report
as well as members of the community. Uh, we have announced our teachers of the year and our ESPs of the year. They have been notified of their recognition. Uh, I would like to congratulate each and every single one of them. uh they are where the rubber meets the road uh and their success is our students success.
We want to thank them so much uh as well as our uh members of our community for their support. Uh we recently as of uh today actually had uh an update on our schedule redesign for both high school and middle school. Uh we met with uh uh
co-chairs of certain committees that we've established in relationship to the work that we have ahead. Uh right now our committees consist of uh student support right we want to get uh surveys for uh student experience in relationship to uh their uh understanding of their schedule uh areas
that they really like areas for improvement. We're doing the same for staff. We're doing the same for parents as well too. Uh we also have a logistics and operation as well as an equity. We want to ensure that any schedule change um not only maintains the exact same programs that we have but can also
enhance it as well too. uh as well as logistics and operations. Um the effect that any change on a schedule would have on access and equity for uh lunches uh start and end times. So all of those pieces I think are great um without a predetermined outcome. I'm looking
forward to the work ahead. I thank uh the committee uh tremendously for their work. They are volunteering their time. Um and it is definitely greatly uh appreciated. A couple highlights for JP Stevens as well too that I just got uh this morning. Uh 34 students from JP Stevens High School Choir program were
selected for the 2026 CGMEA Central Jersey Regions Choir. Uh more than 700 students from six different counties auditioned for a spot in this prestigious ensemble. This is an outstanding number and serves as a testament to their work ethic. Uh congratulations on their success and
accolades. Uh I do know as with every board meeting, we will have the very talented, the very popular Mr. Ross up here to tell us what's great about Edison High in the closing comments. So I will uh leave uh uh the details to those pieces for him. Uh the last piece uh that I want to talk about is to
update the board on the status of themies that we are currently launching. Uh the window and applications have been open. It will close on December 22nd for so for those parents and those students that have interest in looking at the severalmies that we've launched and the presentation that we had at our previous
board meeting. Um please make sure you uh access the information that was sent out to the community. Uh and the window of time will be closing on December 22nd, 2025. Uh and that concludes the superintendent's report. >> Thank you very much.
>> So um [clears throat] today is the uh last day for um the outgoing board member uh Mr. Romano. So, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank his contribution, you know,
volunteer time uh on the school board. I think we have a little uh uh presentation. >> Yes, we do. Thank you, Mr. She. Um as as we always remind our public as well as the member of the board, board of education, um we have a dedicated group of volunteers that sit on the deis with
me. Um, and the work that goes on behind the scenes as well as on this stage, uh, does not go unnoticed by our staff, uh, by my administration and my cabinet, by our administrators, uh, because the work that they do directly impacts student achievement and the student experience here in Edison Township, and we we
really pride ourselves on that. Um, I want to, uh, begin by thanking Mr. Joseph Romano for his service during this term. It has been an absolute pleasure to work side by side with him um on several committees uh in close session. Uh on a personal note um like
I've said to all of our board of education members, I thank you so much for the support that you've shown me. Um it does not go unnoticed as well as uh the members of my team. We thank you so much uh for the work that you've done. We have a small token of our appreciation here, Mr. Romano. uh a
plaque uh that we'd love to present to you and maybe have a photo opportunity as well. Um and then maybe provide you right now with some opportunities for comments and then we can maybe take a picture. >> Y take a picture. board. The whole board. There we go.
I'm actually not the board. >> I'm I'm where I should be in the background. >> Yes, we did. >> I'll just step over here. I'm trying to get What time in your store tomorrow? >> I think 6 or 6:30.
>> It's okay because yesterday was scheduled for 6:30. We're going to Yes, Mr. Thank you. >> It's been a pleasure working here for the county of Edison, working together with the board
and working with the people in the administrative staff. They're all here. our students. They're the ones that do the job. Our teachers,
the administrative staff at the board of ed, they've instituted and we're making sure that it stays all day kindergarten. Preschool, let me explain preschool.
The earlier we get students, your children into school to learn and then comprehend what they read. That's a big that's a big process. It's a big plus.
I take my hat off to our teachers. They're the ones that make this district as good as it is. These board members follow leadership
from the directors, the supervisors, the assistant superintendants, and of course, Doc. I want you all to know that it is a team effort
to make sure that your students, your students, what Edison makes, the world will take. It's been a pleasure. Thank you.
>> [applause] >> Thank you, Mr. Romano. Now, we are going through our regular uh Oh, yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. That's right. Edison. Hi. Right. Yes. Go ahead. >> All right. Hello. My name is Selena
Lewong. I am the vice president of student council and I'd like to thank the board of education for having this meeting and having me. Um during my presentation I will be have I will be talking about um students with their names. So please bear with me as I try to pronounce them correctly as I best as
I possibly can. Um so starting off right after Thanksgiving break, we had hallway decorating on December 1st. It was from 2:30 to 900 p.m. Um we were having a blast. We had pizza. I think we ordered enough pizza that everyone had three
slices each. So we were we were pretty full. our our stomachs were um full and then we had high energy with the decorating. The sophomore class actually won. This is the first time we had underassman win. Um congratulations to the class of 28, Miss Muglia, their
adviser, vice uh president um Zilling Ouang, vice president and Marie Gonzalez, Disha Patel which is their treasurer and Tiana Luong is their secretary, my sister. I'm very proud of her for making history. um in Edison
High School and we had the sophomores, I mean the juniors do uh like a game kind of academic theme where they had like a 3D sculpture of a ferris wheel that actually spun around and with headlights which was amazing. I don't know how they
set that up in six hours. It was crazy. Then the seniors had senior um the nightmare before senior year. It was funny cuz their nightmare was the common app. Um, college applications, FAFSA, SAT scores, stuff like that. It was very funny. Then the freshman class, even
though it was their first year, um, they had Enchanted Forge, which was amazing. And the sophomore class, even though they were really overprepared, they were generous enough to help out the freshman class even though they didn't have many people show up. So, that was amazing.
Then on December 2nd, we had the winter choir concert at a church near Scotch Plains, I believe. Um, it was amazing. Mr. Listener, the their teacher and conductor did an awesome job of conducting all the students. They sounded amazing. My favorite part of the
section cuz I was there was the allgirl choir. They had um this amazing piece I think was in a different language. They sounded so angelic and I loved it every every second of it. And then um we also had on December 5th was the one act show
here. Um theater and improv were in charge of that. We also had breakfast with Santa the day after on December 6th. Kids loved him. I would love to thank John per um John Prescott for being our Santa. Even though he is a junior, he makes a great Santa. The kids
loved him. And also on December 6th, we had um students from Edison High School and JP Stevens as well come out to um church on Woodbridge A where we did participate in Hands of Hope. Even though it was very cold, all the students showed up. Um even teachers um
Miss Ole showed up as well, a health and fizz teacher. We fed over 300 families that day and it was awesome. Speaking of Hands of Hope, we have one this Saturday as well. Um, we have a toy drive. I I helped load up toys yesterday at the
church and seeing the community come together was awesome. Having all these donations, like we filled up the entire church. We even had to put some of the toys on the floor because there were so many of them. So, it was just amazing to see the whole community come together and just donate and give back um to the
people who need them. And it was amazing. Um, my favorite toy that I saw was this ginormous set. It was like half of this table. It was a art set that was Christmas themed. Amazing. And there was Hello Kitty Toys, which is my favorite
character. Um, and then we also had December 6th, we had um, oh, sorry, Saturday on the 20th, we have the toy drive again. And then um, sorry, I'm
losing track. December 10th, we had the winter band concert, which was amazing. I didn't hear I didn't I wasn't there, but I heard uh amazing reviews on it. They sounded amazing. I wasn't there because they I had a trivia night earlier that day for um student council. So, student council had a trivia night
in the media center. We had like a space constriction, so it wasn't completely fair to have everyone like run up to the buzzer, but it was highly competitive. The juniors were a little aggressive with us. Um, but it was amazing to see all their competitive competitive
competitiveness and energy that day. Um, earlier that day, we also had the Rotary senior of the month breakfast awards and um, I would just like to name all the students that won senior of the month. Kayn Seedra Lopez won November and Feow
Lee Ryan Lee also won November. And then Emanuel Kasus won December for won for December and Selena Lu Wong me I won December as well. So it was amazing to see all the students like um academics, extracurriculars and all their
volunteering um have honor and like were recognized by the Edison Rotary Club. So I thank them for hosting the breakfast and being able to see all the other um students from St. Joseph, JP Stevens, Addison Magnetick School, Matuchen High
School and um so on. So last Friday um we had the orchestra hosted a gingerbread house gingerbread house building contest and it was so fun. Um it was very sticky because of the icing was everywhere, but it was amazing. Um I
won third place with my sister. I think we should have won first place, but um it was it was amazing. Um, we were able to make little animals out of marshmallows and everyone was having an a great time. Later that day, um, right after we had to clean up really quickly
because, um, Edison High School were always booked and busy with events. Right after gingerbread house contest, we had the 20 class of 2028 um, first dine in movie night where we had a fivecourse meal watching the Polar Express. There was deer chow, hot
chocolate, popcorn, shak cuderie boards, and um there was one more, but I forgot about what what that was. Um we also have spirit week this week. Um today was light it up Thursday, hence why I look like a highlighter right now. So um we
everyone showed up. Everyone had amazing spirit. We saw winter hats. We saw Miss Priscod have Christmas lights in her hair. I don't know how she got them up there, but they were there and they lit up and everything. Mr. McAffrey was wearing um a dress shirt with like tinsel decorated all over it and light
up shoes which was pretty cool. I don't know how he got them. And then um we also had the orchestra concert last night. It was amazing. I can hear all the way from the gym. I was in the gym with with the wrestling team yesterday. Wrestling had a big win against um East
Brunswick with their first match of the season. We also have one tomorrow. So, please come to that one um to support its home and we'll be there from like 5 to I think five is JV and six is varsity. Um that was great. Speaking of
sports, we had um the basketball team have a big win. Uh student class of 2026, Verbert Reynolds was nominated for athlete of the week next week, which is run by coachstone. Um, swim also had a big win earlier this
week against Islington Kennedy where their numbers were 119 250. So, they doubled the score. Uh, we have hockey with a big win against um Steinhart with 4 to one. Our athletic department was doing great. Girls basketball, bowling,
they're doing awesome. So, I would like to thank the Mr. Sendell for having this amazing department. And then um I would like to close off with thanking some of the students at Edison High School, especially the seniors, my class. We work so hard with what we do and I think
it was very recognized the past week because I like to highlight two um of my members in the class. Uh Ishani Bakshi and Isan Kunoir, they are part of the STEM Academy. They are insanely smart. Like it's so like honoring to be in the
same room as them because Ishani earlier this week, she got into Princeton and um Isan Kumar got to Carnegie Melon. So they will they have high academics. They're part of the newspaper club and I would like to congratulate them because I like to say that I'm honored that I
was in their freshman history class because they're now going off to Princeton and Carnegie Melon which is very highly competitive schools. Um, I feel very lucky to be a part of Edison High School and it's just an amazing
community having all these events, all these high-spirited um, holiday spirit uh, events with the the students and the teachers. So, um, thank you and Mr. Ross, I thank you.
[laughter] >> That's it. >> Yeah. >> Oh, thank you very much, Selena. And uh you forgot to mention one thing, that entrance got closed. >> Oh yes, we have the orchestra under construction. It will start this winter break. So even though I won't be there
to see it when when it's done, I will be sure to visit and come back and see everything. >> You can definitely come back and visit. >> Yeah, I'm definitely coming back. >> You'll be very impressed with that. >> Okay. And thank you and uh good luck with your college uh application, right? >> Thank you.
>> So thank you very much. So, um, you know, if you want to go home and continue the college education, feel free to go. And if you want to stay, stick around. Uh, you can, you're welcome. So, all right. All right. So, now let's uh move into
our um agenda items. Um, today is a combined meeting, so we're gonna have uh Dr. Alaretti and uh Mr. Toast review the items before we open up for public comments. >> Thank you very much, Mr. She uh ladies and gentlemen, members of the board of
education, as you could see, uh we have our personnel agenda um for review in relationship to the appointments, change of status, uh professional development recommendations. Uh under the administrative reports, we've got a couple items tonight. Uh we have the an or monthly uh approval of the November
25th uh HIP report. Uh we also have the mandated reporting from January 1st, 2025 to June 30th, 2025 of our EBVRs uh report which I present to the board uh for review the attached document. Uh
we do have a settlement agreement um uh on the board of uh on the agenda as well. Moving forward to curriculum and instruction section uh excuse me, perfect. We have our field trips for approval. Uh Edison High is going to uh
fashion one and fashion two for the FCCLA fashion competitions in New York City. We also have uh technology education uh an automotive training of one of our class trips. Uh University of Penn for Edison High and the Science Olympiad which sounds awesome. uh uh
music department over at John Adams as well as the global citizens model UN which the board has seen before along with our monthly professional development report uh and the board's commitment to ensuring that our staff and administrators are provided with the very best support and the cutting edge
um uh information in relationship to teaching and learning. And then uh last but not least, we have our out of district placements uh which are located under the special pupil services section. Uh I will now turn it over to my colleague uh Mr. Toth who will
explain the finance and facilities section of the agenda. >> Thanks doc. Uh we got a pretty lean section for the finance and facilities area of the agenda. First up's our traditional uh finance reports uh along with bills list. Uh then we have three service contracts that are up for
approval highlighted by the linkit uh software assessment and intervention program. Uh we have under the facilities area, we're going to be sending the project application down to the DOE for the jams uh parking lot uh renovation
and reconfiguration. Uh and we're also going to be accepting a grant from Meridian Health. So, and that's it. >> Thank you very much. Now, we're open for public comments on resolutions only. Comments on
resolutions only. Anyone see none? motion. Do I have a second? >> Okay, Rob and Joe. [clears throat] >> All right. So, uh before I call for a vote, do any of the board members have
any comments about the resolutions? Anyone? Okay. All right. Now, can I have a motion to approve personnel agenda? >> Motion to approve. Second. >> Second. >> Okay. >> They rotate.
>> Yes. >> Mr. Mr. Erico. >> Yes. >> Mr. Lugo. >> Yes. >> Mr. Romano. >> Yes. >> Miss White. >> Yes. >> Miss Pang?
>> Yes. >> Vice President Patel? >> Yes. >> President Shei? >> Yes. >> Motion carries. Now, can I have a motion for administration, curriculum, instruction, pupil, special services? >> Motion.
>> Second. >> Guys, you're making this easy for me. >> Mr. Erico, >> yes. >> Mr. Lugo, >> yes. >> Mr. Romano, >> yes. >> Miss White, >> yes.
>> Miss Pang, >> yes. Vice President Patel. >> Yes. >> President Chi, >> yes. >> Motion carries. >> Now, can I have a motion for finance and facilities? >> Oh, wait a minute. That was >> tie goes to the runner. No, no, no. It
goes >> I think it was a tie. I think it was But >> I made it from Velle made the motion. >> It's his last. Let's give it to him. >> I'll second it. >> That That's what we got. I got Vishel with the uh motion and Mr. Romano with
the second. Thank you. [laughter] >> It's nice how we all get along. What are we voting on? >> Wait a minute. I forgot. [laughter] >> Mr. Ero, >> yes. >> Mr. Lugo, >> yes. >> Mr. Romano,
>> yes. >> Miss White, >> yes. >> Miss Pang, >> yes. >> Vice President Patel, >> yes. President Shei. >> Yes. >> Motion carries. >> All right. Now we open up for public comments. Public comments.
Okay. Mr. Moore an excuse me, Anthony [clears throat] Mara Edison. Um, I'm here tonight to bless the board. I did this last year. >> Can you get a little closer? >> Thank you. Yeah, >> Anthony Mara Edison. I'm here to bless
the board. I did this last year around this time. It's Christmas time. It's a time of giving. I know you guys have a tough job. It's a volunteer. So, I just want to bless you by name. I
have no agenda here. So, Mr. Ralph Ero. May the Lord Jesus Christ reign in your heart and in the hearts of each of your family members. And may he bless you and comfort you now
and and now and forever. >> Thank you, >> Miss Virginia White. May you come to know the love of God the Father through his son Jesus Christ. And may he guide you now and forever. May the Lord bless your coming and your
going and protect you now and forever. >> Thank you. >> Now, Miss and Janna Patel is not here, but I hope she gets to see this. Miss Patel, may you know the Lord Jesus Christ from a personal experience with
him. And may his joy be yours both now and forever. May his matchless mercy be yours and your families forever. with Shannon Pang. May the light of Christ rest in your heart and in your mind and overflow with
joy and may peace be your heritage and the heritage for your family forever. Thank you, >> Mr. Jerry Shei. May you come to know the Lord Jesus Christ by living according to his word. May he be the stren stronghold in your
life and may his strength be immovable in your in in regard to your decisions both here on the board and and in the rest of your life. Mr. Vich Patel. >> Thank you. >> May the mercies of the Lord Jesus Christ
which are new every morning be yours and your families forever and ever. May he bless you and your family now and always. Thank you >> again. Mr. Ronak Patel is not here, but I hope he gets to see this.
I pray favor upon you, Mr. Patel, and your family. May God our father through his son Jesus Christ bless you. May you know him and draw near to him forever and ever. Mr. Christopher Luggo,
I pray that you stand firm in the one who is the way, the truth, and the life. His name is Jesus Christ and that you find may he be the foundation of your life. May his truth and righteousness
reign in your life, not just here in the board of ed, but forever and ever. And sorry, my phone is ringing on me. Thank you. And Mr. Russell Azerello, he is not yet officially on the board, but I hope he gets to see this.
May God our Father wrap his loving arms around you and your family and may his love be yours forever and ever. You're welcome. Oh, are you here? >> He's back. >> Oh, [laughter] God bless.
Um, may God bless all of you. Sometime after Christmas, I'll be sending each of you an email, which I certainly hope that you read and give it serious consideration. I'll be back uh
come the new year to talk about it. But for now, it's Christmas time and the blessings I gave I blessed upon spoke to you, I mean them from my heart. God bless you. It's a joy coming before this board. God bless.
>> Thank you very much. Yes, sir. Susan Campion, Edison, New Jersey. I just wanted to take a moment um to recognize Carl Annan. Uh he unfortunately passed away last uh week at the age of 78. It was unexpected. He
was a beloved band director at Woodro Wilson for 30 years. um condolences to his wife Nancy who was the coral director at Woodro Wilson for 30 years. Uh they retired in 2009. Um they really
set my boys um to the love of music. Both of them, one was a a drummer and one was a trumpet player. And um Carl just lit up the room with the kids. He loved music. He loved the kids. His um big thing was he wore a different tie
for every single day of school. he would throw it on the floor of his closet and then at the end of school he'd pick up 180 ties and start again in September. But he was really um wonderful. He was loved by the staff and the kids. And I
just wanted to recognize um his passing. They are going to have a memorial service in January. So um hopefully we'll get that information out um when we get it from his wife Nancy. And I wish everybody a merry Christmas. We're in the throws of Hanukkah. Um, it's the
fifth night. If you're celebrating, my grandson thinks now every time he has dinner, he's going to get a present. [laughter] So, um, Quanza, New Year, anything that you're celebrating, um, and I hope it's a peaceful new year. >> Thank you very much. Anybody else? Yes,
Mrs. Conway. Elizabeth Conway, 20 Netherwood Circle, Edison, New Jersey. I'd like to start with thanking Joe for his service and hopefully he'll join us on the other side of the table. It's a lot more fun. [laughter]
>> Okay. Uh, number two, I was here just last night for a Christmas concert. Uh, there was a guitar section, there was a string section, and then there was strings and orchestra section. And I would be remiss if I did not speak about
the young man. He was a junior who orchestrated and was the what's he called? Uh, the composer of one of the items. His name was uh Zachary Crawford. He got up and
blew the room away. I mean, everyone else was wonderful, but it was unbelievable how his rapport got up and he did such a fantastic job. And I was just so proud of him. And I was sitting with another woman and Maria and I, we
had chills how wonderful he was. And when the um teacher in charge said, "I'd love to still know you in five and ten years to say I remember you when" and I felt the same way. One day I'm going to say I know that young man and how wonderful he
was in 2025. So Edison High, thank you again, Mr. Ross, for letting me know when things happen here in Edison High, even though it takes me 40 minutes to get here from my house, even though I live in Edison. >> Yeah. Yeah, talk about that. Yes.
>> Yes. >> And um one item which is a little negative. Uh I know I'm spoiled but uh I would like the personnel report to be a hard copy. There's not many of us but looking on the little phone trying to
figure out the personnel especially when you have a combined meeting it's uh difficult to just see. and you know my curiosity as to who is leaving and coming and you know what's going on in the district. I truly appreciate if that could be done. And finally I would just
like to wish everyone happy holidays whether it's merry Christmas, happy Hanukkah, happy Quanza, happy new year and enjoy the time off. I'm getting time off too. Conway daycare is closed for two weeks. Thank you. >> Thank you very much. We'll we'll look
into the u [clears throat] you know the personnel then Mr. Ross come on >> you can always have more than six minutes. Okay. We don't we don't start a clock for you. >> As quickly as I talk I'll never get to the six minute limit though. [laughter]
I appreciate that so much. I'm so glad that the meeting is being held here so that you could all see the fruits of your labor in the beginning of the construction. told everybody that you guys were going to get it done and I appreciate everyone for moving it across. You know what's great about Edison High. So many different things.
Selena elucidated them so well. All of the concerts, as Miss Conway was saying, we also with the wrestling had a hundred win wrestler. Um Mr. Avalon, Fernando Avalon, and next this week we're going to have another 100 win. Mr. Negron is going to get his. The cheer won the
state championship. Oh, wait. That was last year's announcement. Oh, no. It was the year before. No. Oh, no. They win every year. So, they won again. So, give it up for our cheer team for being the state champs. So many different things that are going on with our school. We had the hallway decorating. We've got doorway decorating where the teachers
are competing. Some of our LLD students help put up our Christmas village in the front. And I just want to wish everybody um you know the happy holiday season in going into 2026. Let's hope that we have a peaceful new year and you know, keep that peace in our hearts and as well as
in our schools. to Mr. Romano. Um 16 about 15 and a half years ago I was sitting over there and you were sitting on that at the board used to be down on the floor and you were sitting here when you helped get me this uh dream job that I had worked my whole life for. So I'll always be in your debt. I appreciate
your service and always looking out for Edison in the southside and our good conversations about Wake Fern and all the other things. So best of luck, relax, enjoy yourself a little bit. You don't have to come every week, but you're always welcome. Thank you.
Thank you, Matt. [clears throat] Matt Revnack, ETA president. So, I want to start off with Mr. Romano. Joe, it's been a pleasure. We've worked with each other twice now, actually, going back in the day when I first started as a negotiator and obviously over the last
few years. the one thing I always thank you for and credit not only the time for all of you that you give up for that great pay of zero dollars um but also the fact that you've always been an advocate for students and staff and I do agree with your statement before we are
a team no matter what level I know my uh Jerry Campion and I met yesterday to what about five o'clock with Dr. Alderelli Dr. Hus Mr. Covert uh and Dr. TUI and we sit there and we try to work on things, work out issues, work on things to make everything better for our
students and our staff. And what you're saying is exactly 100% right. The success of our students is based on teamwork. And that's from the board level right down to, you know, everybody, the teachers, the support staff, and of course the students. So,
thank you again all for all your service over the years. It's always been a pleasure. Uh, I was just a couple good things. I was just over at JMP before coming here. They had the winter wonderland and uh gingerbread houses. >> Yes. >> What a fantastic event. Beautiful. I
know ETA does fund it. Um but it's incredible. They have things lit up. >> The kids are making incredible little gingerbread houses. Everyone was different. I I said, "You're doing a better job than I could ever do building a little house like that." Um even the principal, Mr. Siler, is out there
shooting out. He has a a snow making machine and he's shooting snow out and it was just a great event. Um, if I had to believe it just finished up a little while ago. Um, couple other things I want to mention. Um, and thank you Sue for mentioning Mr. Manand. I was going
to say it myself so I'm not going to. But I also want to bring up as many of you know um we have a death in the fam family, the KTO family. um Carrie's father Pat KTO's husband um actually
Skip KTO who I knew when I first started JPC was a facil facilities manager's brother and Cindia Simeio who is a cousin all people that work in our district. The reason why I bring that up also is the next day after burying their dad and husband
Carrie and Pat were dealing with and taking care of the Hands of Hope. basically hands of hope. They're they do the toy collection and gift card collection for members of the community and it's all donated by teachers and you
know support staff etc in our schools. So again it's another thing that we do to help the community out and I had just asked Carrie more toys than ever. I believe it, she said, 122 gift cards that are $20 a piece. And for them the
day after burying their father and and husband to be there and still take on that task, it just shows the dedication that our people have. So, I did want to mention that changing tune a little bit. I don't want
to be me sad or whatever, but and I'm going somewhere with this. So, just bear that in mind. You know, over the last week, other than politics that's in the news, three major events, the shootings at Brown University,
Bondi Beach, and the Reiner family. And in each case, it's people that are crying out and need help is what it comes down to. People that, you know, how do you mass shoot, for example? I don't know how anybody can do that.
And one of the reasons why I bring that up is especially around the holidays, while it's a joyous t time for all of us, for those that are addicted, substance abuse, anxiety, depression, suicidal,
uh, isolationism, people that are alone. This is probably the toughest time of year for those people. People that have lost people like the Cletos. I know I had one year where I lost five family members in four weeks surrounding Christmas and New
Year's. I felt like I lived in a funeral home for Christmas that year. So, it's a very tough time for some people. If you know people in those situations, reach out to them, invite them over. And the people in those circumstances,
please, please reach out for help. Okay? It's a giving time, but the best gift you can give is to help someone in need like that. Material things like toys and all that gifts, that's great. But saving
someone's life perhaps is a better gift that you can give to anyone. So keep that in mind as you celebrate with your families that there are people out there like that. And yes, it is a time to spend with family, with friends.
Happy Hanukkah to those celebrating currently. Happy Quanza. Happy a merry Christmas to those that celebrate those holidays. And we all celebrate New Year. So, happy new year to everyone, a healthy, prosperous, productive New
Year. Enjoy the time off, our students and staff, and hopefully have a great 2026 coming up. Thank you. And by the way, Mr. She I'm not going to [laughter] What is that? >> You see the picture?
>> I don't. >> It's an army. >> It is. What? >> It's It's a West Point picture. >> Oh, I can't see it. It's too too far for me. >> But anyway, I'm not going to gloat. We We texted each other on Saturday. [laughter] I do say I will say this. Listen, just
like what we're saying, you could be adversaries, but when it comes together, even there being a a you know, fellow alumnist of of Annapolis, your daughter at West Point, it's always, you know, Navy beat Army, Army beat Navy, but when a push comes to sh push come to shove,
they work together for the safety and and security of our country. Good luck to Army in the bowl games. >> Thank you very much, Jeremy. So this this year when the you know I I think you probably watched the prisoner exchange. >> It's on the back. It's one fight, one
team. >> Team. Yep. That was great. >> Jerry, what was the score? >> 16 to 17. >> 17. >> 176. Yep. >> Great game by the way. >> Yes, it was. >> It was. [snorts] >> Yeah. Tony. >> Motion to close. [laughter]
>> Blade. I got the mic and I know the sound guy. >> [snorts] >> Just two last things I want to touch on. Um, you know, number one, always like to thank people in the holidays and one group that always gets forgotten are the custodians and grounds and they're the one group that don't get doesn't get a
snow day and so when the snow started coming um Saturday or Sunday night or whenever it was and you know we could sit there and worry about our little driveways or this or that, Mr. Colibas, Mr. Murphy and everybody mobilized the group and I know that they made sure that when we came in here Monday morning
we could open on time. So they don't get the snow day, they come in and get to work and just wanted to thank them for always keeping our buildings open and dealing with things like construction across the district and always making our schools ready to open. And wanted to tie back again to shout out to Zack Crawford, the young man who's a junior
who com who conducted his piece, his overture that he composed. I had the pleasure and it's just a a story about how powerful Edison education can be. He has aspirations to go on to Berkeley school. I had his mother as a student
back in the year 2001 2002 um in my last district in each orange. And so it was so great that people can come down and recognize how aspirational Edison is and how how much he takes advantage and how much so many people take advantage of the opportunities in the arts here, the
opportunities in STEM. It's just another great Edison success story and you know Zach and his sister Zoe and his mom Miss Boat Wright is um always one of my favorites. So thank you again. >> Thank you. Any other public comments? >> Seeing none. Can I have a motion to close?
>> Motion to close public comment. >> Second. >> All right. Now board member comments. >> Thank you Mr. Shei. Um again I would like to thank Mr. Romano. I think this is our third uh yeah trip together. It is true. >> All right. Not in consecutive years but
over many years. Um like to thank you for your service. Um you know our conversations, our input, you know, back and forth. We we all always don't agree but we all come out with a decision that is best for our staff and students. So thank you Joe very much for all your
service. Um also like to thank uh the public. uh wish everyone uh merry Christmas and a healthy and happy new year and uh I think our next meeting is January 6th. So I'll see you then. >> Thank you. >> Thank you, Mr. She. >> All right, Jenny.
>> Um I would just like to Well, I've been making the rounds with the different, you know, choirs and bands and whatever. Um Edison High, I went to the winter choir concert in in Planefield. It was absolutely amazing. Then I also attended
the Woodro Wilson uh concert as well. And then last night I was at John Adams and that was like outstanding. Um you really if you get the opportunity to ever go to these, you should go. It's
well worth it. And Joe, I just want to say it's been wonderful working with you. I knew you the first time around, but as an employee of a of the district, but this time, you know, we work together on different things. Thank you
so much for your service. I know how dedicated you are to the children and staff of Edison. I truly know that and I know that you've given it your all and we do appreciate it so much. Thank you so much for being part of this group and
I was proud to sit on this day with you. I really was. Thank you so much. And I would also just like to wish everyone a blessed holiday. Enjoy it with your families. It's a wonderful time of year and you know make the best of it. Thank
you. >> Okay. Thank you Shannon. >> Yeah. Uh I also want to take this opportunity to thank Joe, Mr. Romano for his service for the last three years. Uh three years in another a short time and this is a you know no pay stressful and
often thankless job. Uh I want to thank Joe for his time and contribution to this board. It's really appreciated. Um I also want to say thank you to all the teachers and staff for a wonderful successful h first part of the year. Uh
enjoy the well-deserved break and to all the students have fun during the two weeks without homework or tests. Uh to the seniors who are cramming for college application, best of luck. Um just want to wish everybody a very wonderful happy
holidays. Thank you. >> Yeah, Chris. >> Thank you, President G. I'd like to start with uh addressing Mr. Romano. Joe, it's been a pleasure to serve with you as a fellow board member. Uh your your passion for what you do up here is
evident and um uh you're a staunch supporter of everything this district does and what it stands for. Um it's been a pleasure working with you. I'll miss sitting next to you. Thank you for your service. And also to want to wish everybody uh well everyone to our
community, our staff, faculty, parents, students, fellow board members have a very very very happy, healthy, safe, a very blessed holiday and a very prosperous new year in 2026. Thing about prosperity, it's only going
to be as prosperous as we make it. So I wish you the best in all of your endeavors in 2026 to make it a great year. Thank you, >> Mr. She. >> Yes. Well, I I also want to thank Joe for his time and service. I know I have learned a thing and two from you serving with you for past three years. So, I
appreciate that and uh happy holidays to everyone. Thank you. >> Okay, Joe. >> All right. So, uh >> I think I said it. Okay. >> Uh what I will say is is that it's been a pleasure working with everyone. Uh we
don't sometimes we just don't agree. But one thing I can say is when I was elected and now I think it's better.
I think the administrative staff has put it all together. I thank them for that. You make us look good. But again, and I'll say it again and again and again,
it's our teachers and our students. You know, we could put a light bulb in, but they turn the switch on. And our students, they learn to read and they comprehend.
They make our district as good as it is. I'm not saying it's the best, but it's it's close. Thank you and have a happy holiday season. Thank you. >> Thank you. >> So, um I just want to reiterate um I'd
like to thank Joe for his uh you know, three years contribution um volunteer job. It's a it's not a easy work. Um, [clears throat] you know, uh, it's it's it's the last meeting of the of this year, but I still want to mention a
couple things that's, uh, ongoing. Uh, today before I came in here, uh, I just signed the, um, paperwork to submit to the state, uh, John mentioned for the John Adams access road. Um, so
[clears throat] it's coming and also I signed the uh paperwork for the JP Stevens uh uh uh wastewater management. Uh we all know that JP gets flooded and uh and this solution will be permanently
fixing that problem. Okay. Um on [clears throat] the same note about these uh uh infrastructure upgrade uh on the the first week of uh I think December 4th we had the uh first kickoff meeting for the um JMI expansion. So um
it was delayed but uh it is coming. And two weeks ago, uh, we issued the public bid for the air conditioning for, uh, three schools, JMI, GMP, and Washington. And the bid will come in on January
16th. And, um, if the bid is favorable to us, we have some extra money. The next school is going to be Ben Franklin. So, um, just want to um, mention that. Um and uh today when I pass the hallways
um you know students we can see a lot of the talented work uh from our students decorating the hallways and uh bring up the the holiday uh spirit uh in the school. Um and also I read in the news
that the Edison High School um band uh they won the third uh they came in third in the state. Um and also JP Stevens are 42 students uh the JP Ben who made to
the um um the region uh which another um you know big achievement for our um arts program and um you know Selena just mentioned some of the students who got into uh prestigious colleges. Uh this is
the uh tough time for the um high school students. It's the busiest time for college applications and just want to wish everyone um you know um best best of luck and they will find the college they actually would love to go to and I
want to re just reiterate um you know wishing everyone a happy and healthy holiday season and looking forward to see everyone uh on January 6. I'm looking forward to work with the new board uh on the um you know very
productive year. Um, since Russ is in the audience and Russ, can you just stand up so we can have a a shot of uh, you know, this is the new uh, board member uh, coming in January and looking
forward to uh, work with him. Um, and let's uh, you know, uh, make our school district uh, even better, right? Welcome. Any other one has any comments? >> One other thing. >> Yes, go ahead.
>> Uh, two things. The Edison Jets, uh, the girls, uh, cheer team, they did really well. I mean, like number three in the in the state. So, that's really big. It's our feeder teams.
And number two, uh completion of the main library. Uh the renovation will be they're scheduled for April 1st and the completion date for
the library on Grove off of in North Edison should be between July 1st and August 1st. So keep your eyes open. renovations are there. They're working on it, but that'll complete some of the
projects at the library. So, I just wanted to I apologize. >> No, I apologize. >> Just forgot, but thank you very much. >> Okay. Any other comments? See none. >> Motion to close. >> Okay. >> May I please? >> Yes, please.
>> I'll second that motion to close. >> Okay. All in favor? >> I. >> All right. The meeting is adjourned. See you guys on January 6. Thank you very much.